AB1021 THE DISEASE BURDEN OF AXSPA: ARGENTINIAN DATA FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MAP OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS (IMAS)
Authors: F. Sommerfleck, M. Garrido-Cumbrera, N. Zamora, M. Benegas, L. Ferreyra, M. L. Acosta Felquer, A. Benitez, E. Buschiazzo, M. S. Gálvez Elkin, R. Garcia Salinas, P. Giorgis, G. P. Pendon, D. Vila, P. Aliberti, V. Duarte, V. Martire
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> The term axial spondyloarthritis covers both patients with non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic disease that typically affects the axial skeleton, and produces varying degrees of pain, stiffness, and fatigue [1-2]. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this study is to describe the burden of disease from the patient´s perspective who participated in the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Argentina. <h3>Methods</h3> IMAS is a cross-sectional online survey including axSpA patients from around the globe. In this study, Argentinian axSpA patients ≥ 18 years old with AS or nr-axSpA, who provided informed consent and participated in the IMAS survey, were included. To determine disease burden from patient´s perspective BASDAI and GHQ-12 scale were performed. In addition, data on demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics were included to describe the daily life of these patients. Numerical variables are expressed as mean (standard deviation) or median (interquartile range), while categorical variables are expressed as count and percentage. <h3>Results</h3> 115 individuals (67 men) were included. Mean ± SD age of surveyed participants was 46.9 ± 12.3 years. 76.5% reported being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Most of them (n: 98) live in Buenos Aires and surroundings. The median BASDAI score was 5.1 (IQR: 3.5), 66.1% had a BASDAI score &gt; 4. The mental state (psychological distress) was affected in less than half, 41.7% of the participants showed a GHQ-12 &gt;3. The delay in diagnosis was 4 years (SD 8). Biologics were prescribed in 88 out of 115 (76.5%) patients and 92% were on them at the time of the survey. The most frequently reported associated health conditions were anxiety and sleep disorders. The main hopes revealed by the respondents were to stop the disease (87%), recover quality of life (72%), and improve mobility (56%). <h3>Conclusion</h3> This is the first study of the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Argentina. In this sample of patients with axSpA, a substantial proportion were active in their disease, although most of them were under biological treatment. The delay in diagnosis was less than that reported in other series, and we should not underestimate the anxiety and sleep disorders suffered by these patients. <h3>Reference</h3> [1]Poddubnny Denis, Sieper Joachim.The Lancet 2017 Jul 1;390(10089):73-84.2. Garrido-Cumbrera M, Poddubnyy D, Gossec L, et al. The European Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis: Capturing the patient perspective—an analysis of 2846 patients across 13 countries. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2019; 21:19. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Fernando Sommerfleck Grant/research support from: Novartis Argentina, Marco Garrido-Cumbrera Grant/research support from: Novartis, Natalia Zamora Grant/research support from: Novartis Argentina, Mariana Benegas Grant/research support from: Novartis Argentina, LEANDRO FERREYRA Grant/research support from: Novartis Argentina, Maria Laura Acosta Felquer: None declared, Alejandro Benitez: None declared, Emilio Buschiazzo: None declared, María Soledad Gálvez Elkin: None declared, Rodrigo Garcia Salinas: None declared, Pamela Giorgis: None declared, Gisela Paola Pendon: None declared, Diego Vila: None declared, Paula Aliberti Employee of: Novartis Argentina, Vanesa Duarte Employee of: Novartis Argentina, Victoria Martire Grant/research support from: Novartis Argentin.a.